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Shimmering Nines
To make the 200 nine-patch units you need for the pattern Shimmering Nines, shown in the September 2003 issue of QNM (no. 355), you can use either of two methods.
To use smaller pieces of fabric from your stash for a "scrappier" look, you can cut individual A patches (1 1/2" squares) and piece them together as shown in the unit diagram, placing the darkest fabrics in the corners and center positions. You'll find starching the fabrics before you cut the squares will help you to control the piecing of these small patches.
For a faster method, you can "strip piece" the nine-patch units. That means you will cut strips of fabric and stitch them together in bands of 3. For this pattern, you will need strips cut 1 1/2"-wide. One set will be sewn with the darker fabric on either side of a light strip, and one set will have the lighter fabric strips sewn on either side of a center dark strip.
From the right side of the fabric, gently press the seams toward the darker fabric. Line up the long edge of a sewn band with a line on your cutting mat and trim the short edge to even it using an acrylic ruler and your rotary cutter. Cut across the sewn bands to make 1 1/2"-wide segments. As you become more comfortable with rotary cutting of these segments, you will find you can layer the bands and cut both at the same time. Check frequently to make sure your cuts are at right angles to the edge of the band. For each nine-patch, you will need 2 segments with the darker fabrics on the outside (Band Y) and 1 strip with the light fabric on the outside (Band Z).
Sew the segments together as shown in the unit diagram. With the fabrics pressed as described above, you will find the seams will "lock together" at the corners of the patches, and you should be able to sew the blocks without pinning.
The length of the strips you use will determine how many horizontal strips you will be able to cut from the bands and how many nine-patches you will have from any two fabrics. We recommend that you use strips no longer than 20". For this quilt, the more the strips you use, the more variety you will have in the nine-patches for your quilt top.
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